The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-03-16
"SOmetliing TO Her Advantage"


King street."
Barbara Reed put down the paper
with jerk.
Il wonder if that means me-" she
said, thoughtfully. "My grandfather's
and l know he was curate, but | did
not know there was any money in the
family"
eff you think it worth while, 60 to
Messrs. bod x Son and find out" sug-
gested a sharp-featured elderly lady,
who sat stitching at the table opposite.
"Of course l will! Why, there may
be five thousand pounds waiting for
me there"
cor five pounds, more likely" sup
plemented the stitcher.
Barbara laughed. "Id rather think
of the thousands, Mrs. Stewart; they
would be much more to my advantage"
81 know of something that would
be more for your advantage than all
the money you are ever likely to get
from advertisements, if you had but the
good sense to see it, returned that
lady, significantly.
Barbara flushed as she left the room
to get her cloak and bonnet and set out
for home. She was the music-mistress
in Mrs. Stewards school, and had been
one of the most promising pupils in it
before that; she was almost alone in
the world, except for distant aunt,
with whom she lived, and, after school
days ended, it being necessary that
she should do something towards keep
ing up the little household, she had
been very glad when Mrs. Stewards
proposal to retain her for the younger
girls music-lessons saved her from APP
plying to strangers. Still, notwith-
standing her obligations, there were
times when Barbara felt strongly dis
posed to protest against that lady's
authority, which was pretty much as it
had been in the days she was "quite a
child" as Barbara often phrased it to
herself.
" She never seems to remember that
l am grown up and able to manage my
own affairs. 1t does not follow that
because l was her pupil once she has
any right to interfere in this manner
now"
She was marching down the road,
her head well up, while she argued the
matter out to her own satisfaction
when some one quietly fell into step be-
side her. The shadow vanished from
her brow like morning mist as she
looked round.
"What are you in such hurry for?
could scarcely keep you in sight," in
quired the newcomer.
1t was the subject of Mrs. Stewart s
admonition, her drawing-master-clevel
enough at his profession, but of his in.
dustry and general dependableness she
had not the highest opinion. Not sc
Miss Barbara, who was fast developing
a very warm sentiment for the good
looking young artist.
" am going home to deposit my
music, and after that ! think of making
a journey into the city, to King street.
King street, That is an expedition .
"Isn't it! But have some idea OF
coming into fortune, and that is the
place | am TO apply to-"
Mr.. Lawrence's face showed such
genuine interest in the news that
Barbara speedily told him all she knew
perhaps with little unconscious ex-
aggeration, by way of justifying her
first announcement.
You will be sure and let me know
the result of your expedition" he said
earnestly, with lingering clasp of the
hand, as he left her at the corner of hel
own street. Il shall be most anxious
to hear, and no one deserves such a
fortune better than Yourself"
The dingy, jolting omnibus that con-
veyed Barbarato the city that afternoon
might have been a royal chariot for all
she felt of it. She was absorbed in
bright visions of her coming greatness
No more of those interminable practic
ings at Mrs. Stewards for herself, nc
drawing-lessons for some one else
Who could tell but next May there
might be new member at the
Academy, new picture to attract all
eyes? No man tied down to mere
teaching could have fair chance. Bar.
bara's face glowed with the thought
that it might be her hand that should
set the fettered genius free.
The glow was still there when she
turned into King street and ran full
against plain, rather commonplace
young man coming out of one of the
warehouses. Why, Miss Barbara, il
is not often you find your way to this
quarter" he said, as he held out hi:
hand. 1t was brown, ungloved hand
and bore evident traces of hard service
Barbara gave the tips of her fingers
rather coolly, contrasting it with the
well-shaped yellow-gloved one that haG
pressed hers little before.
81 came on some business, Mr.
Grant" she said. 81 believe there is
alegacy waiting for me; it was adver
tised in the papers, and ! am going tC
see the solicitors about it now"
John Grant laughed. "Well, hope
you may get it, Miss Barbara; for my
self, never had much faith in legacies
since | wasted twenty-five shillings
once in answering advertisements
about one"
THAT may have been very differ
ent matter from this" returned Bar
bara, stilfly. " / had better not detair
you any longer, Mr.. Grant"
"And that is the man Mrs. Stewart
thinks worth half dozen like ALFRED
Lawrence" said Barbara to herself
as she walked into Messrs. bod & Sons
office. cit seems to be decided vir
tue in some peoples eye to have coarse
hands and shabby coats"
Her face was several shades longel
when she came out again. Messrs. Doc
x Son had not received her with by an,
means the respectful enthusiasm sh'
expected. There had been awkward
- n